Shop Cheap

It's not going to take a lot of labor to come up with a shopping list this week. Just sit back and let Shop Cheap tell you what's on sale and how to get the best bargains. The rest - cooking and eating - is up to you.

Safeway has the BOGOs covered with Ball Park franks, buns, berries and chips. There's fruit pies for $3.99; sodas at buy 2, get 2 free and Tony Roma ribs for $5. Corn on the cob is 6/$1; nectarines are 99-cents a pound and celery is $1 a bunch. Seedless watermelon is $5.99.

If you're clippin' or downloadin', there are plenty of coupons. Dennison's chili is 99-cents; Safeway Select party-size meals (lasagne) are $7.99; Lucerne butter is $2.49; Best foods mayo is $2.49; Kettle chips are $1.88 and Safeway salsa is $1.99.

Other stuff we like: The $5 Friday specials - 8 piece chicken; deli turkey and hot pepper cheese; Tropicana OJ; strawberry or chocolate Boston cream cakes; bath tissue or paper towels and a 20-pack of Coke. The 4-day (Friday-Monday) sale items include Post Cereals for $1.88; large roasted chicken for $7.99 and BOGO Kraft cheeses.

And lastly, spend $75 or more and get a $10 coupon off your next grocery purchase.

Save Mart changed its look this week. Lot's of small icons and one giant hamburger. Each page has a theme and it's really easy to read. Let's see how long it's going to last. Here's what we like: Foster Farms whole fryers for 99-cents a pound; BOGO Ball Park franks and fresh ground turkey for $3.99.

Produce is always a plus at Save Mart. Whole seedless watermelon is $2.97; corn on the cob 6/96-cents; avocados are $1 each; radishes, cilantro and green onions are 50-cents each; bagged salads are BOGO and grape tomatoes are BOGO, too.

Lays chips are BOGO; Pepsi 12-packs are 4/$11; Martinelli's sparkling lemonade is $1.88 and 7-UP 12-packs are 3/$9. A case of Crystal Geyser water is $2.99 or 88-cents for a gallon.

General Mills cereal is $1.77 a box (Friday-Monday); Kellogg's fruit snacks are 99-cents; and the FREE coupons this week include rubbing alcohol and garden salad - go figure!.

Weekend savings at Raley's include corn on the cob for 19-cents each; seedless watermelon for $3.49 and 2lbs of strawberries for $3.99. Tomatoes on the vine are $1.49lb; grapes are $1.99lb and heirloom tomatoes are $2.99lb.

Tri tip roast and marinated pork loin are both $4.99lb; gourmet beef burgers are 2/$5 and premium patties are $2.99lb. If you need condiments, Vlasic pickles are 2/$5; Raley's yellow mustard is 99-cents and Ball Park buns are 2/$5. Tostitos chips are $1.89; Lays are BOGO.

Ball Park franks are 2/$4; apple pie in the bakery is $4.99 and Haagen Dazs is 2/$6. Kellogg's cereal is $1.99 a box when you buy 4 or more. Minute Maid punch or lemonade is $1 for a 59oz container. Nabisco snack crackers are $2 a box and a large can of Bush's Baked beans is $1.50.

Coupons worth clipping include Best Foods mayo for $2.99; Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce for $1.50 and Tillamook sliced cheese for $3.49.

If you're making guac for the long weekend, head over to a Sprouts store where avocado is 3/$1. On the vine tomatoes are 77-cents a pound and cilantro, radishes or green onions are 3/$1. Cantaloupes are 88-cents each; seedless watermelon is 3lbs/$1. Gala apples and Bartlett pears are both 99-cents a pound. Sprouts' Friday-Sunday sale includes a case of spring water for $2.50; corn on the cob 6/$1 and raw shrimp for $3.99lb.

That's it for this week. Enjoy the last long weekend of summer!

School is starting and so are the assignments for parents. New backpacks; snacks; juice. Want ot know where to go for great prices on these items? Try the Grocery Outlet. Shop Cheap has the goods to prove it: Rolling backpack - $9.99; Contigo sports mug - $9.99; Clif Zbar in a box of 12 - $5.49 and Tree Top 100% Apple Pear Juice - 3/$1. Need we say more?

Now, to feed those hungry humans. How about seedless grapes for 99-cents; BOGO sandwich bread $1.49 for General Mills cereal and granola bars (when you buy 4 boxes). That's all at Safeway. The $5 Friday specials are worth a visit for Signature Cafe Pizza or chicken wings; cookies, croissants or muffins; deli ham, turkey and cheese; Frito Lay variety pack and Tide detergent.

Other stuff we like at Safeway: tomatoes for 99-cents a pound; Fresh Express salads for $1; corn on the cob 6/$2 and green onions or radishes for 50-cents each.

For 99-cents or less, shoppers can get a head of Iceberg lettuce; a bakery baguette; paper towels; canned veggies and all kinds of necessities like toothpaste, shampoo and deodorant.

If toasted raisin bread is on your breakfast list, a loaf of Safeway Kitchens brand is $2. In the coupon category, Safeway OJ is $3.77 for a gallon; Lucerne eggs are $1.89 a dozen and Yoplait yogurt is $3.77 for an 8-pack.

And now through Aug. 28, if you spend $75 or more at the checkout, you earn 30-cents off per gallon at Safeway gas stations.

Moving on to Raley's we find all the ingredients to make mango salsa. Roma tomatoes for 79-cents a pound; mangoes 2/$1; jalapeno peppers for 49-cents a pound and limes 6/96-cents. To make things really easy, go to www.raleys.com for a mango salsa recipe. To go with it, there's a BOGO mix & match sale featuring beef, chicken and pork. There's boneless, skinless chicken breasts, fresh ground beef patties, baby back ribs and boneless pork chops...all buy one, get one free.

Personal size watermelons are $1.97 each and locally grown pears are $1.29lb.

Garlic-lovers take note of the Nob Hill artisan roasted garlic batard for $3.99. Gallo salame is $4.99; Ronzoni pasta is 99 cents a box and Barilla sauce is $2.50 a jar.

A gallon of Crystal Geyser spring water is 98 cents; a case of R Everyday water is $3.48.

General Mills cereals are $1.99 a box when you buy 4 or more and Home Pride bread is $1.99 a loaf.

Save Mart has a twist on the meat dept. sale. There, shoppers can purchase 5 packages of beef, pork, poultry or seafood for just $25. The pacakges are specially marked but include boneless NY steak; fresh ground beef; Foster Farms chicken and large prawns.

In produce, berries are BOGO; personal watermelon is $1.97 each; tomatoes on the vine are $1.29lb and Hatch chile peppers are 97-cents a pound.

Michelina's Zap'ems frozen entrees are 78-cents each; Eggo waffles are 2/$4 and Breyers ice cream is BOGO. No time to cook? Try the rotisserie chicken meal, which includes a side and bread for less than $10.

This week's brand challenge includes two kinds of tuna and mayo. Remember it's buy the national brand and get the Sunny Select item for free.

Goldfish are $1 a bag; a case of Nestle or Arrowhead water is $3.33 a case;  and a loaf of Bohemian Hearth bread is $1.98. The freebie coupons on the back of the ad this week include Bar-S bologna and Top Care cotton swabs.

If you have a Sprouts in your neighborhood, check out the produce. Seedless grapes are 69-cents a pound; avocados and mangoes are 69-cents each; bell peppers are 3/$1 and leaf lettuce is 88-cents a head. Beefsteak tomatoes are 88-cents a pound.

That's it for this week.

Let's cut to the chase here. If you want to save $10 off your next bag of groceries, shop Raley's this weekend. If you want some pretty decent $5 specials, shop Safeway on Friday. And if you want free stuff, head to Save Mart for free eggs, lettuce and toothpaste (with purchase, of course).

Here's what we like: In the Raley's offer, which is available on Friday, Saturday & Sunday, you can earn a $10 rewards coupon when you spend $75 or more on groceries. Produce is a good buy this week with blueberries for $3.99; heirloom tomatoes for $2.99lb; bell pepers $1 each green chilis from Mexico for 89-cents a pound. White peaches or nectarines are $1.99lb. and red or Yukon gold potatoes are 69-cents a pound.

Pork spareribs are BOGO and chicken thighs, drumsticks or leg quarters are 99-cents a pound. If you're planning a picnic, Claire's Classic potato salad is $1.49lb and chicken strips are $4.99 in the deli. S&W beans are 69-cents a can. Fresh shrimpmeat is $5.99lb and BBQ oysters are 12/$9.

Raley's Take & Bake pizza is BOGO; a case of Aquafina is $3.99 and Oroweat buns are $1.99 a package.

In the bakery, sliced cheesecake is BOGO; fresh baguettes are $1.88 and family pack cookies are $3.99. Kellogg's Special K products and Mother's cookies are $1.99 each when you buy 4. And if you're clippin' Sunnyside ice cream is $2.99; Near East Rice Rilaf or Couscous is $1.49; Frito-Lay variety pack chips are $3.99 and Kleenex or Scott bath tissue is $5.99.

Over at Safeway, the Friday $5 specials include the All-American sub; chicken tenders; Artisan cake slices; a 6-pack of smartwater and 3lbs of Jennie-O lean ground turkey.

In produce, nectarines are 99-cents a pound; a 22oz carton of blueberries is $4.99 and oranges are 99-cents a pound. Cantaloupe is $1.99; white corn is 6/$2 and everything from bagged spinach to baby carrots are BOGO.

Safeway is advertising fresh Yellowfin tuna steaks for $6.99lb; Italian sausage for $3.49 and the chicken drumstick, thigh or leg quarters for 99-cents a pound.

Golden Grain pasta is $1 a box; Rosarita refries are $1 a can and Pillsbury Grand! biscuits are $1.50. If you're still clippin' like Shop Cheap, check out the coupons for Skippy, $2.49; Folgers coffee for $7.99; Safeway OJ for $4.49; Drumsticks for $2.49 and Lucerne sliced cheese for $1.99.

To get the free stuff at Save Mart, you do have to buy stuff. To get a free dozen eggs, you must purchase 5 items from ConAgra, which includes Hunt's; Rosarita; Banquet and Egg Beaters! To get the free head of lettuce, clip the coupon on the back of the ad and spend at least $15. Want free toothpaste, clip the coupon above the lettuce and spend $25.

Save Mart has boneless chicken breasts or thighs for $1.99lb and is also advertising a boneless steak sale. Fresh cooked shrimpmeat for salads is $4.99lb and Harris Ranch fresh ground sirloin is $3.99lb.

In produce, 2lbs of blueberries is $4.97; corn on the cob is 3/99-cents; red bell pepper is 3/99-cents and organic heirloom tomatoes are $2.97lb. If you like capese salad, fresh mozarella is $3.99; fresh basil is 99-cents and vine ripened tomatoes are 47-cents a pound.

Other stuff we like, Quaker Life cereal for $1.88 a box; Golden Grain pasta for $1 a box; Arrowhead or Nestle water for $3.33 a case; Rainbo buns for $1.99 and Minute Maid OJ for $2.50.

Sunflower Farmers Market on Harding Blvd. in Roseville is continuing its closing sale with 40% off all inventory. The store will close on Aug. 25 because of its merger with Sprouts Farmers Market, which has a location nearby on Five Star Blvd. and Stanford Ranch Road.

That's it for this week...

It's going to be really hot (again) this week. Good time to have breakfast for dinner, don't you think? Here's how:

Safeway has what they are calling "Rise & Shine Savings." General Mills cereals are $1.49 a box (must buy 4 or more) and Quaker cereals are $1.88 a box. Tropicana OJ is $2.88; Open Nature breads are 2/$5; Lucerne large eggs (18 count) are $2.59 with coupon and Pillsbury cinnamon rolls are $1.69 with coupon. Blueberry muffins and butter croissants are $5 in the bakery and canteloupe is 2/$3. And don't forget your $10 off coupon from last week!

Other stuff we like: The coupons! Klondike bars for $2.49; $5 off when you spend $15 on any frozen food items; 6-pack of Gatorade for $2.50; salsa for $1.49 and Nature Valley granola bars for $1.79.

And although we are in the early days of August, it's getting to be "back to school" time for lots of parents and kids. For that reason, sandwich bread is on sale for $1.99; Capri Sun drinks are $1.99 and Hunt's snack pack pudding cups are buy 2, get 2 free.

The $5 Friday only specials include Signature Cafe whole roasted chicken; deli ham, turkey or Swiss cheese; Strawberry Boston cream cake; 32oz. Chobani Greek yogurt and The Snack Artist Buffalo Chicken Wing Buckets.

Ragu or Rinaldi pasta sauces; Best Foods mayo; Bulls-Eye BBQ sauce; Ballpark franks and Safeway Ketchup are all BOGO. Refreshe water is $3.33 a case.

In produce, seedless grapes are 79-cents a pound; broccoli is 99-cents a pound; Roma tomatoes are 99-cents a pound and baby carrots are $1.50 a bag.

And if you are craving Red Vines, a large container is only $6.99.

Raley's is going to really help you eat your fruit and veggies this week. On Saturday and Sunday only, strawberries are $1.29lb; vine-ripe tomatoes are 79-cents a pound and Fresh Express garden salad is 79-cents a bag.

Cherries are $2.99lb; seedless grapes are $1.49lb and whole seedless watermelon is $3.49 each. Amaize white corn is 2/88-cents.

In the BOGO category, there's Nob Hill Trading Co. cheeses in the deli; Raley's Take & Bake pizza and Tostitos.

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are $1.99lb; fresh ground beef patties are $2.99lb and large cooked shrimp are $6.98lb.

If you are a lover of Peet's coffee, a 12oz. bag of whole bean or ground is $6.99.

A case of Crystal Geyser Spring water is $3.49.

Save Mart continues with the reasonable prices for produce. White corn on the cob is 5/$1; seedless grapes are 97-cents a pound and Iceberg lettuce is 47-cents a head. Campari tomatoes are 97-cents for a container and red bell pepers are 4/$1. Bartlett pears and red or black plums are 79-cents a pound; cantaloupe is $2. Heirloom tomatoes are $2.99lb and broccoli is 97-cents a pound.

The FREE coupons on the back of the ad - both have minimum purchase of $25 - are Jif To Go cups and Johnsonville brats or Italian sausage.

The brand challenge this week - buy the national brand, get the store brand free - include Sue Bee honey; Quaker Quakes and Pantene shampoo. It't probably the wrong week to advertise Progresso recipe sou starters, but it will get cool agan and they are BOGO this week.

The best daily shopping deals are Bayview Farms sandwich bread - 59 cents on Thursday; Sunny Select drinking water - $1.68 a case on Sunday; and bananas - 39 cents a pound on Monday.

And if you want to try something cute, check out the cupcakes that look like little pies - 6 for $4.99.

Colleague Mark Glover reported on Tuesday that Sprouts Farmers Market announced it was closing the Sunflower Farmers Market - at Douglas and Harding in Roseville Square - not later than Aug. 25. When Sprouts purchased Sunflower earlier this year, they ended up with 2 stores in Roseville.

Beginning Wednesday, shoppers at Sunflower will receive 30% off their groceries. The discount will be given at checkout.

If you are a Sprouts shopper, there is a 72-hour sale this weekend that features corn on the cob, 10/$2; baby back ribs for $2.99lb; Arrowhead Spring water for $2.99 a case; sliced roast beef for $4.99 and raw almonds for $2.99lb.

Produce worth noting: blueberries 2 pints for $3; seedless watermelon, 3lbs/$1; avocado and cantaloupe 77-cents each; red and green bell pepper 3/$1; peaches and nectarines for 99-cents a pound and the radish, cilantro or green onion trio 3/$1.

That's it for this week, shoppers. Remember when the temperature hits 100, the coolest place in town is the frozen foods aisle!